From that article:
“This guy’s got all the tools -- he’s got great size, he’s got great power,” Saban said. “But it makes you wonder, how did the guy only start 8 [games?] Like, in the SEC championship game, he played only the first 15 plays of the game and then he’s out. Takes himself out. I don’t know what he injured, what he hurt, whatever. But you’ve got to be a little bit more consistent in your performance if you’re going to be a great player and a starter in the National Football League.” - Nick Saban
How many guys has Saban pushed to play injured in these championship games and they're not quite right or able to properly train to start their NFL careers. Doesn't he have a reputation for that? Seems like he's trying to say he's soft to me but I'm not sure I'd put much weight on Saban's opinions of a competitor's player being out of a game due to an injury.